Mon 13 Jun 2005
UCLA
Time
Graduation begins at 9:00 and goes until 10:30. You all know LA traffic, so plan for it. Also plan for about 5 minutes (if you’ve got a good sense of direction) to 25 minutes (if you’re clueless) to get from parking to the Court of Sciences. I will be at the UCLA bus stop just east of structure 6 (just left of Engr 1 on the map below) until 8:30. If you meet me there, you will have a place to sit and chat with me and others until I walk up to the Court of Sciences at 8:30. I volunteer mom or Kelly to save seats.
Tickets
Most likely mom will have your tickets. To get yours, find her.
Parking
The closest parking structure is structure 9. To get there exit 405 on Wilshire, turn left on Westwood, continue on Westwood for several blocks. You will pass a stoplight with a police station on the left, and shortly after that the parking structure will be on your right. Parking is $7.00. If that lot is full, you can continue on the same road to structure 6 or make a left at the light and then turn left into structure 8.
Location
The graduation will be held in the UCLA Court of Sciences. It is an outdoor graduation, so bring water/sunscreen/etc. The dress is informal, and as we’ll be going to Jim’s afterward, there’s no need for fancy dining clothes either. The area itself is flat, but not all paths from surrounding parking structures are. This map will help you.
From structures 6 & 8
Go to the sidewalk on the east side of Westwood, the road you came in on. Continue north on this toward Ackerman Union. Before reaching the union the path shrinks down and you will see a path crossing the road to your right that goes up a number of stairs - take that path, and continue up the sidewalk up the hill until you reach a path to your right that goes under a building - this building is the Math Sciences building. Take that path into the Court of Sciences.
From structures 6 & 8 (Fewer stairs)
Go to the sidewalk on the east side of Westwood, the road you came in on. Continue north on this toward Ackerman Union. There are a few doors to your right that lead into Ackerman Union, take those and continue straight along the path inside to the elevators. Take them to level 2 and continue across the bridge and out the doors to the right. You should see a seating area. Walk through this toward the right and walk up the path. Cross the street to the path that leads under a building - this building is the Math Sciences building. Take that path into the Court of Sciences.
From structure 9
There may be a level that leads to the Court of Sciences more directly, but I don’t know it. Go to the lower level and walk out the north exit. Go to the right and veer left toward the building ahead with the doors facing you. Enter those doors, and take the elevator to level 5. Exit the elevator to your left and continue down the hall until you must turn left again. Fairly quickly you will see doors on your right that open into the Court of Sciences.
Jim & Lisa’s
Lunch will be served at Jim & Lisa’s afterward. You’re free to stay as long as you like or until they kick you out 
I apologize for the long drive, but this seemed to be the best solution. Plus you’ll be able to sit and relax on their many comfortable chairs, couches and benches.
Time
The time is not definite, but as it’s supposed to be lunch I figure we’ll start serving lunch around 12:00 to 1:00ish, depending on how long it takes everyone to arrive.
Location
2912 Bearcreek Ct.
Fullerton CA 92835
You can get a map here, and from there any directions you might want. Google Map’s suggested directions are here (just get back on the freeway and ignore the first few steps), but you are free to take your favorite (or least hated) LA freeways.
Update: From Jim:
Our address is actually 2912, but if you make it to 2012 you’re close enough.
From UCLA there are number of ways to get here - the time it will take all depends on traffic conditions. If all is clear I would take the 10 east to 5 south to 91 east to 57 north, exit Imperial Hwy going east (right turn), up the hill to Placentia (turn right), down the hill to Cedarbrook (turn left - neighborhood is called Parkhurst - go through the gate and make a left on Cedarbrook Circle), take the first left (Ashcreek) and first left again (Bearcreek), house is on the corner on the right side. Home # is 714-255-0447
Given the potential for traffic on the 5 south - a good alternate route - at least during the week is to take the 60 east instead of the 5 south - all the way to the 57. If you go that route, please note that you will need to go South on the 57 to get to Imperial hwy.
The distance is about 48 miles - with a food and drink pot-o-gold at the end road. If nothing else, this trip may convince you that you really do need the navigation system in your car.
The weather is expected to be a pleasant 73 degrees.
Disclaimer
I don’t know what UCLA is going to do with construction and closing things off etc on that day, so I don’t know that these instructions will work as advertised. I put them there so they could help if possible, but I realize that some of you will get lost. The best thing to do if the instructions don’t work or if you’d rather not brave it yourself is to call me (310 948 703) or Mom (661 203 5990).